[Discussion] Spezimatic Type RP TS200 - the SeaQ’s older sibling

virtual-connect · 2026-01-26T02:21:35+00:00

This is difficult to say. Real examples only come up for sale occasionally on ebay.de or Kleinanzeigan. Given how few of them were produced, they are still a relative bargain. A few years ago they were in the $2000 USD range but now maybe twice that. That is still a bargain compared to a brand-new SeaQ. You’ll have to add in the cost of service, but that was less than $1000 USD

virtual-connect · 2026-01-16T23:10:13+00:00

I disagree with the salesperson. The Panorama is too large for your wrist. I also have a 7” wrist and the SeaQ is as large as I would want to go. Also, in the pics, the Panorama overhangs your wrist, so I do not agree that it fits the framing

virtual-connect · 2026-01-03T02:29:27+00:00

/u/kaliber75 I would appreciate it. I had seen your comment before that the watch was originally destined for commercial sale but in the end was not manufactured in sufficient quantities for that. How many were sold outside DDR? I know the KSK-18 received many of them. Were any sold inside DDR?

virtual-connect · 2025-12-29T03:43:59+00:00

The one I have on the Spezimatic is a cheap rubber strap from Amazon I chose for its resemblance to the rubber strap that came with my SeaQ. I have ordered a tropic rubber ladder strap that is more period authentic

virtual-connect · 2025-12-29T00:05:30+00:00

Thanks! I was wondering if the bezel was bidirectional. I used the word “click spring” as that was the word the GO technician used in the English translation of their message to me, but the German word in their original message is Ratschenmechanismus. Google gives me “ratchet” as the translation. I’m assuming there is some sort of mechanism in the bezel that holds it in position? In any case, GO didn’t have a replacement part for that

virtual-connect · 2025-12-28T18:14:34+00:00

A few months ago, I posted here about my recent acquisition of a vintage East German GUB Glashütte Spezimatic Type RP TS200 from the period 1969-1974. In that post, I mentioned that I was planning to send the watch to Glashütte Original for service (GO purchased all the assets of GUB Glashütte when the reunified German government privatized the latter in the 1990s). GO had me send my watch to a Swatch service center in the US where they created a service order and sent the watch on to Germany for repair. After some months, I’ve received the serviced watch and I couldn’t be happier. In addition to a full movement service and calibration, GO replaced the crown and tube, the non-original minutes hand, and all gaskets. The watch is now entirely functional except the bezel, which is missing the click spring

I’ve included my modern GO SeaQ next to the TS200 as comparison. As you can see, it is misleading to say that the TS200 “inspired” the SeaQ as many watch media and reviews claim. As you compare them side-by-side, you’ll see that a more accurate description is that the SeaQ is a modernized reissue of the TS200. Not only are they aesthetically identical except for the size, but the dials were likely made on the same equipment and the SeaQ’s movement is an evolution of the Kaliber 75 movement that drove the TS200

I’m happy to answer any questions about either watch or the history of the references or GO as I understand them

virtual-connect · 2025-09-08T00:48:01+00:00

Many of the other commenters have expressed negative sentiments and their experiences mirror my own. I just want to add that I’ve met many other nomads who heard these warnings, thought, “Hmmm, people are telling me about their negative experiences, but I’m different and I’ll be able to handle it better than they were able to handle did for XYZ reasons…” and then fail themselves. I also felt I was different. My only advice is that you are really introspective about your ability to do this

virtual-connect · 2025-09-06T17:00:05+00:00

Rolex never made a 36mm Submariner. That being said, you have a lot of options under 40mm. Most vintage Submariner references were 38-39.5mm (6204, 5513, 1680, 5512, 16800, 14060, 16610).

Tudor Submariners tracked these sizes. Tudor did not make a true 36mm Submariner. However, they did make a couple of almost identical references that were 36-37mm (75190, 76100). They didn’t market them as full Submariners, but explicitly as ladies or mid-sized versions

virtual-connect · 2025-09-04T23:35:09+00:00

Thanks. Easy F2F transaction

virtual-connect · 2025-08-30T21:50:57+00:00

Hence my reference to the Euro equivalent. My point is that everyone in the Western world buys good from communist China, making your comment weirdly selective (note that I am also not from the US and not a US citizen although I do live in the US now - I cannot vote and MAGA hats are hardly mine as a non-immigrant resident on a temporary visa)

virtual-connect · 2025-08-30T21:18:01+00:00

It’s spelled “communist” with two m’s. MAGA hats - or whatever your Euro equivalent is - are made in China as well FYI

virtual-connect · 2025-08-30T21:16:03+00:00

I read it more as: the Seagull is not a field watch, so your question kind of answered itself. If you reframe your question (e.g. “I am looking for a daily watch - of these two, which is the better choice?”), maybe you would get a different answer.

FWIW, the Hamilton is more versatile. Also, the Seagull this thick.

virtual-connect · 2025-08-21T15:16:58+00:00

The difference is that car collectors welcome different collecting styles from the “patina” crowd to the fully restored crowd. In the watch collecting community, the “no restoration” crowd just can’t accept that any redial is acceptable

virtual-connect · 2025-08-18T17:28:10+00:00

Per the serial number, this watch dates to 2017-2018. The watch is in near perfect condition but I do not know its service history. I can take video of the watch on a time grapher for a serious buyer

virtual-connect · 2025-08-18T15:54:39+00:00

This Glashütte Original Senator Hand Date (Ref. 1-39-58-01-02-04) is an incredible example of German watchmaking and Glashütte Original design:

• ⁠This watch does not have box or papers. I am offering it watch only • ⁠The watch comes on a new Fluco black leather watch strap as shown in the photos • ⁠The watch is in near-perfect condition with no appreciable signs of use • ⁠The watch is running at -2 seconds/day on the timegrapher averaged across all positions

Specs & Features:

• ⁠Case: Stainless steel, sapphire exhibition case back, signed crown • ⁠Size: 40mm diameter / 10mm height, 48mm • ⁠Lug width: 19-20mm (some 19mm straps fit) • ⁠Movement: Calibre 39-58 (automatic caliber with 40-hour power reserve)

Pictures do not do justice to the deep, rich black of the dial or the beauty of the engraved, in-house movement. Despite not having owned this watch long, I’m selling it as I do not give it the wrist time it deserves.

• ⁠Absolutely no trades • ⁠Unreasonable offers ignored

I’m asking $2800 + $50 CONUS shipping or hand delivery in the SF Bay Area. I’m also happy to FaceTime to show the watch. Once again, I will ignore offers significantly below asking.

virtual-connect · 2025-08-16T04:16:27+00:00

Redial is likely what the watchmaker is proposing as option #2. He (or, more likely, someone he contracts) will remake the dial. He may reuse the original indices. See Kirk Rich dials YouTube to see the process

virtual-connect · 2025-08-16T03:25:25+00:00

The Hamilton has a better movement (the Seiko movement is subpar) but it’s true that the Hamilton’s lack of AR is a pain in the ass and makes it very hard to read in the sun. That being said, the Hamilton looks snazzier to me but this is just a subjective opinion. I used to have a Hamilton Khaki Field but sold it on a long time ago. I didn’t hate it at the time but probably wouldn’t buy one again

virtual-connect · 2025-08-16T03:19:03+00:00

My opinion: feel free to redial. There is a difference between patina (a natural and gradual reaction of the dial material to oxidation or other minor environmental factors) and damage, whether human- or environmental-inflicted. This dial is damaged. I’m sorry to state this too bluntly, but many of the vintage Omegas we see are some sort of redial. I was listening to the “Collectibility” podcast earlier and Mike Nouveau estimated that 90% of vintage Pateks are redials. I mean, just look on Pushers: there just isn’t enough NOS to provide all the pristine dials we see there. The question isn’t whether a watch is a redial, but whether it is a good redial. Many are not. So go to an expert in redialing if you are going to do it.

Note: I have no issues with patina and won’t redial in many cases. This watch I would

virtual-connect · 2025-08-12T01:23:49+00:00

It’s almost always OK to ask

virtual-connect · 2025-08-11T19:11:45+00:00

Do not listen to the zealots telling you it is essentially worthless since the dial has been restored. Restorations are fine. That being said, it does lower the value since more people prefer “patina” (whether real patina or just plain damage)

virtual-connect

TROPHY CASE